Gun feed accessory device



June 1945- J. c. TROTTER ET AL 2,377,823

GUN FEED ACCESSORY DEVICE R5g/ Jag/y z JFK/77 ATTKJEYfi Filed Sept. 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I I I I 1 I INVEN llllll IL- l I June 1945- J. c. TROTTER ET AL GUN FEED ACCESSORY DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v w mm. a W05 m w 7 .A wv N B m m Patented June 5, 1945 GUN FEED ACCESSORY DEVICE John C. Trotter, Williamsville, and John L. Jewett, Bufl'alo, N. Y., assignorsto Bell'Aircraft Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.

I Application September 5, 1 94].,"SeriaLl'No. 409,700

7 Claims.

.This invention relates to rapid firing guns, and more particularly to an improved means for feed- .ing ammunition thereto. One of the .objects of the invention is to provide an improved ammunition feed accessory device adapted to bemounted in conjunction with-a rapid fire gun or cannon or the like when situated within a relatively restricted space, such as in a tank or an airplane Wing, or the like. Another object oi the invention is to provide a cartridge belt automatic feed device which is adapted to segregate cartridges and cartridge connecting links rior to entrance of the cartridges into the gun feedway, in an improved manner. Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedcartridge belt feed accessory device for automatic guns which is adapted to feed the cartridge belt to the gun in an improved manner. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 isafragmentary side elevation of a cannon and an ammunition feed accessory device of the invention with portions ,of the covering structure thereof broken awayto show the interior thereof;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1 with a cover portion of the. driving mechanism broken away to show the interior thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially along line III-III of Fig. 1.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in conjunction with a rapid fire gun in of the cannon type. .An ammunition magazine throat I4 is arranged above the gun It so as to be adapted to 2 provide a continuous .supply of cartridges [5 for the gun. The shells 55 are connected in articulated manner by means of conventional open side type links I 6, so as to form a continuous ammunition be'lt adapted to be folded and nested within the magazine above the throat M preparatory to feeding to the gun. The gun it is provided with an ammunition feedway E8 in registry with the breech mechanism thereof, and it will be understood that the gun It] will include any suitable usual type of cartridge feed pawl mechanism v(not shown) in conjunction with the feedway I8.

The accessory feed device comprises a feed throat which is in the general form of a closed sleeve of rectangular sectional form for-guiding the movement of the cartridges l5 from the magazine [4 into the gun feedway l8. Because the cartridge feedway' l 8 of the gun It! faces upwardly, the throat 20 is provided with a reduced end portion 22 anda stop shoulder 24 for slidably fitting ward the gun vfeedway end portion of the throat v ziiiby. meansv of atrain of meshed gears indicated .generally at 30. Thegear train 39 comprises alinto .detachable connection relation with the gun [0,.while the opposite end of the throat 20 is disposed in registry with the ammunition outlet portionot the magazine It. Consequently, the general arrangement of the parts enables the gun and the magazine and the'feed assist mechanism to be compactly .nested withincrelatively restricted spaces such as are provided interiorly of tanks,

' airplanes, .or the like.

I To motivate the shells or cartridges l5 from the magazinel d and into the gun ammunition feedway,-a train of sprocket wheels 25 is provided adjacent a side wallportion of the throat "211;. each of the wheels 25' being rotatably mounted by means ofv suitable shafting Eli-upon a bracket 21 extending from the structure of the throat 20. The adjacent wall portion of the throat-20 is slotted asat-2t in the regions of the star wheels 25,

,and the star wheels are so mounted upon the V bracket 21 as to have their finger portions ex- 7 tending inwardly through the slotted portions 29 I of the throat 2i) for geared engagement with the cartridges disposed within the throat 20. The star wheels'25 are arranged to be rotated in the necessary directionforpropulsion of the shells l5 toternate gears carried upon and keyed to the star .wheelshaftsZB. and intermediate gears carried by shafts-'3! which also bear upon the bracket 21. 'l"hus,.the,star wheels 25 are arranged to rotate simultaneously.

.Todrive'the gear train 30 one of the star wheel shaftsf'tfi is extended and enlarged at 37 and coupled by means of a ratchet formation 38 to the inner end .of a flat clock-type coil spring 49. The outer end of the springil is bent to abut against an .end portion of a split ring type friction plate 45 which is normally frictionally fixed to a housing 42. .The housing 42 is rotatably carried upon the shaft'ttand is peripherally toothed at 44 en- I tirely therearound in the manner of a ratchet wheel. A casing 46 is rotatably carried at one of its endsupon theshaft 36 so as to partially enclosethe housing 42 and carries at its outer portion apin .41 which supports a ratchet pawl 48 :for driving the ratchet it in response to oscilla- .tion of the casing 46. A spring 49 mounts upon the, pin 47 so as to urge the pawl into ratchet engagementand thus completes the ratchet pawl device.

, A bell crank:53.is mounted upon a pin 54 extending. from the throat wand is formed with a gearsegmentportion 56 concentric of the axis of rotation about the shaft 54 for meshed engagement with a gear segment portion 58 of the casing 46. At it opposite end the crank 53 carries a roller 65 for engagement with an inclined track portion El of a cam bar'GB extending from a portion of the gun H) which reciprocates in response to recoil forces when the gun is firing. Hence, upon firing of the gun It the cam 68 reciprocates in synchronism with the gun firing operation to cause the crank 53 to oscillate in such manner as to intermittently drive the spring motor casing 46 in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 through the ratchet-pawl mechanism 48. A spring pressed-pawl II is mounted upon a stationary portion of the throat casing for operative connection with the ratchet teeth 44 to stop the housing 42 against return movements intermediately of driving operations of the pawl 48. Thus, upon' firing of the gun the outer end of the driving spring 40 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, and there is thus transmitted to the drive shaft 36 spring-loaded forces tending to rotate the sprocket wheel mechanism in the required direction of movement for propulsion of the cartridges I into the gun feedway. The cam 63 is arranged to be adjustable relative to the gun mechanism so that the throw imparted by the cam 68 to the rocker 53 may be modified as required to provide approximately the correct amount of driving action of the sprocket wheel assembly to suit the cartridge feeding requirements of the gun. However, it will be understood that the cam. adjustment will be preferably so arranged that the rocker operation provides slightly more than the required star wheel driving action, and that as the spring 40 becomes overloaded with the star wheels under full torque, the friction clutch plate 4| will slip relative to the housing 42 to absorb the overrunning operation of the cam and rocker mechanism.

The links I6 normally engage the shells I5 intermediately of their ends at enlarged portions I2 of the shells and adjacent shouldered portions I3 thereof (Fig. 1) so that relatively slight endwise movements of the shells relative to the corresponding links dispose reduced diameter portions of the-shells in the region of the clamping finger portions of the links I6.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the throat is laterally distorted in side view in such manner that the opposed end wall portions of the throat member 29 are adapted to earn the shells or cartridges I5 endwise as they approach the gun feedway whereby the enlarged body portions of the cartridges are displaced out of connection with the corresponding curved finger portions of the connecting link devices it. The sprocket wheels are relatively arranged so as to be in spaced opposed relation at opposite sides of the links I6 as the cartridge belt moves through the guide throat 20. Thus, the sprocket wheels 25 function simultaneously to drive the cartridge belt and to maintain the links 16 in unchanged alignment while passing through the mechanism of the invention, thus preventing lateral shifting of the links I6 coincident with shifting of the cartridges I5 for disengaging purposes under the camming action of the oblique side walls of the feed throat. Thus, the links I6 become freed to fall into a link ejection chute I5 disposed below the throat 20 and in registry with an apertured wall portion I! thereof; it being understood that the links I6 are of the conventional open side type and adapted to remain engaged only upon the larger diameter portions of the shells which are dimensioned to fit the link recesses snugly. Thus, just prior to arrival of each successive cartridge into registry with the aperture 1'! in the side wall of the throat 20, the cartridges engaging each successive link IE will be cammed endwise out of engagement with the link so that the latter is free to be pivoted laterally into the chute 15.

A sprocket wheel is rotatably mounted by means of the lower of the shafts 26 within a suitably apertured portion of the outer wall of the throat 20 substantially opposite the position of the leading edge of the link receiving aperture 11 at the opposite wall portion of the throat 20. The sprocket device it is arranged to register with the links I6 as they move into registry with the chute I5 so as to bear against the central body portion of each succeeding link after it becomes freed from its carrying cartridges and to forcibly displace it laterally into the chute 15. Thus, the links are prevented from following the cartridges :5 as they proceed toward the gun feedway as would otherwise causejamming 0f the cartridge feeding operation, and are positively segregated from the shells in an improved manner. A track 88 is provided to firmly guide the links I6 as they move through the throat 2i! and into registry with the chute "I5.

1 Thus, the invention provides a simple and rugged and automatically operating device in the form of an easily attached accessory for use in conjunction with any type of automatic gun or cannon or the like, whereby the oscillative movement of actuating parts of the gun are automatically translated and transmitted to the feed accessory mechanism for feeding the cartridge belt to the gun in an improved manner. It will also be understood that the mechanism of the invention is particularly advantageous and of improved form because of its compactness and close adherence to the associate gun; whereby minimum space is required for installation of the device of the invention, and marked advantages in connection with machine guns and cannons or the like are made available. Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited but that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

W hat is claimed is:

1. An ammunition feed accessory device for use in conjunction with a gun having a cartridge feedway adapted to receive unconnected cartridges in succession, said feed accessory device comprising a guide member adapted to be mounted upon said gun in registry with said cartridge feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links having portions encircling said cartridges and maintaining said cartridges in'successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having guide means thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide the 'links of said cartridge belts in constant direction alignment as they move through said guide member, cam means carried by said guide member to slidably engage and force said cartridges to move in endwise, direction out of alignment with the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engagement relative to said links, saidguide member having a perforated side wall portion at a position in registry with thepath of said links subsequent to disconnection from said cartridges,

ass wa s -said perforatedwall portion being formed to provide a restricted opening-so as to prevent movement of said cartridges therethrough, and a thrust -device mounted upon said guide -member tridge'feedway 'and to extend therefrom toreceive 'belts-of cartridges articulatedby means of .links'having portions encircling said cartridges :an'd'maintaining said cartridges in successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having'guide means thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide 'the links of said cartridge belts .in' constant direction alignment as they move through said guide member, said guide member having slopin 'side wall means adapted to slid- 'ablyengage and'force said cartridges to move in endwise direction out of alignment with'the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engagement relative'to said'links, said guide member having-a perforated side wall portion at a position in re .is'try with'the path ofis'aid links'subsequent to disconnection from said cartridges, said perforated wall portionbeing formed to provide a re stricted opening so as to prevent movement of said cartridges therethrough, and a thrustde- ,vice mounted upon said guide member to extend between adjacent of said cartridges as theybecome disconnectedfrom said links to substantially maintain the original spaced relation of said cartridges and to simultaneously'force the disconnected links through said perforated wail portion.

3. An ammunition feed accessorydevice for use ihconjunction with a gun having a cartridge feedway adapted to receive unconnected oartridges in succession, said feed accessory device comprising a guide member adapted to be mounted upon said gun in registry with said cartridge feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links having portions encircling said cartridges and maintaining said cartridges in successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having guide means thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide the links of said cartridge belts in constant direction, alignment as they move through said guide member, cam means carried by said guide member to slidably engage and force said cartridges to move in endwise direction out of alignment with the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engage-.

:links tosubstantially maintain the originalspaced relation: of saidcartridgest and to simultaneously force the disconnected links through said. perforated wall portion.

' 4. An ammunition feed accessory device for -use in conjunction with a gun having a cartridge feedway adapted to receive unconnected ,cartridges in succession, said feed accessory device comprising a guide member adapted to be mountedupon said gun in registry'withtsaid cartridge "feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links .hav-

ing' portions encircling said cartridges and maintaining said'cartridges in successive spaced'apart relation, said guide member having sprocket means thereon-adaptedto mesh with .said cartridge beltsto regulate the feeding thereof and to engage and slidably guide the links ofsaid cartridge belts in constant direction. alignment as they movethrough said guide member, cam means carried by said guide member to slidably engageand force said cartridges to move inendsaid sprocket means for actuating. the latter to propel said cartridges toward said gun feedway,

and a thrust device mounted upon said guide member to extend between adjacent of said cartridges as they become disconnected from said links to substantially maintain the original spaced relation of said'cartridges and to simultaneously-force the disconnected links through said'perforated wall portion.

'5. An ammunition feed accessory device for use in conjunction with a gun having a cartridge 'feedway adapted to receive" unconnected cartridges in succession and having a part thereof adapted to reciprocate in response to recoiling operation of the gun, said feed accessory de vice comprising a guide member adapted to be mounted upon said gun in registry with said cartridge feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links having portions encircling said cartridges and. maintaining said cartridges in successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having a train of sprockets rotatably mounted thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide the links of said cartridge belts in constant direction alignment as they move through said guide member, cam means carried by said guide member to slidably engage and force said cartridges to move in endwise direction out of alignment with the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engagement relative to ,said links, said guide member having a perforated thereof into rotation of said sprockets, and a thrust device mounted upon said guide member to extend between adjacent of said cartridges as they become disconnected from said links to substantially maintain the original spaced relation of said cartridges and to simultaneously force disconnected links through said perforated wall portion.

6. An ammunition feed accessory device for use in conjunction with a gun having a cartridge feedway adapted to receive unconnected cartridges in succession and having a part thereof adapted to reciprocate in response to recoiling operation of the gun, said feed accessory device comprising a guide member adapted to be mounted upon said gun in registry with said cartridge feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links having portions encircling said cartridges and maintaining said cartridges in successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having a train of sprockets rotatably mounted thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide the links of said cartridge belts in constant direction alignment as they move through said guide member, cam

means carried by said guide member to slidably engage and force said cartridges to move in endwise direction out of alignment with the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engagement relative to said links, said guide member having a perforated side wall portion at a position in registry with the path of said links subsequent to disconnection from said cartridges, said perforated wall portion being formed to provide a restricted opening so as to permit movement of said links therethrough but to prevent movement of said cartridges therethrough, motion transmitting means coupled to said train of sprockets and adapted to extend into engagement with said reciprocating gun part for translating reciprocative movements thereof into rotation of said sprockets, said motion transmitting means including an elastic coupling member, and a sprocket wheel rotatably mounted upon said guide member and having teeth portions adapted to extend between adjacent of said cartridges as they become disconnected from said perforated Wall portion.

7. An ammunition feed accessory device for use in conjunction with a gun having a cartridge feedway adapted to receive unconnected cartridges in succession, and having a part thereof adapted to reciprocate in response to recoiling operation of the gun, said feed accessory device comprising a guide member adapted to be mounted upon said gun in registry with said cartridge feedway and to extend therefrom to receive belts of cartridges articulated by means of links having portions encircling said cartridges and maintaining said cartridges in successive spaced apart relation, said guide member having a train of sprockets rotatably mounted thereon adapted to engage and slidably guide the links of said cartridge belts in constant direction alignment as they move through said guide member, cam means carried by said guide member to slidably engage and force said cartridges to move in endwise direction out of alignment with the direction of link movement through said guide member and out of encircled engagement relative to said links, said'guide member having a perforated side wall portion at a position in registry with the path of said links subsequent to disconnection from said cartridges, said perforated wall portion being formed to provide a restricted opening so as to permit movement of said links therethrough but to prevent movement of said cartridges therethrough, motion transmitting means coupled to said train of sprockets and adapted to extend into engagement with said reciprocating gun part for translating reciprocative move- .ments thereof into rotation of said sprockets,

said motion transmitting means including an elastic coupling member and a .friction clutch member, and a thrust device mounted upon said to guide member to extend between adjacent of said cartridges as they become disconnected from said links to substantially maintain the original spaced relation of said cartridges and to simultaneously force disconnected links through said 45 perforated Wall portion.

JOHN C. TROTTER. JOHN L. JEWETT. 

